What Makes a Trained Leader

A leader in Scouting is considered fully trained and entitled to wear the Trained leader emblem when he or she has completed the training courses for their position. The current courses for leaders in Scouting units are:

Youth Protection Training

Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting. Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. For that reason, the BSA continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting.

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies, and provides parents and leaders with numerous online and print resources for the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing programs.

New leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training within 30 days of registering. To take the training online, go to www.MyScouting.org and establish an account using the member number you receive when you register for BSA membership. If you take the training online before you obtain a member number, be sure to return to MyScouting and enter your number for training record credit. Your BSA local council also provides training on a regular basis if you cannot take it online. For more information, refer to the back of the BSA adult membership application, No. 524-501.

Youth Protection training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer does not meet the BSA’s Youth Protection training requirement at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

We encourage all adults, including all parents, to take the BSA’s Youth Protection training.

To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent’s Guide in any of the Cub Scouting or Boy Scouting handbooks, or go to http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

Position Specific Training

Leader position specific training is based on the leader’s position. Courses are offered by the unit, district, or council as group training, by personal coaching, or in some cases self-study.

Cub Scout Leaders

Cub Scout Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions:

Cubmasters and assistants

Pack committee

Tiger Cub den leaders

Wolf and Bear den leaders and assistants

Webelos den leaders and assistants

Pack trainers

While Cub Scout leader training is available online through e-learning at myscouting.org, instructor led, face-to-face courses are the preferred method of instruction because of the opportunity to interact with other leaders, get questions answered, and have fun!

Boy Scout Leaders

Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training is for all Scoutmasters and their assistants. Scoutmasters and assistants must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills to be considered trained.

Troop committee members are considered trained when they complete the Troop Committee Challenge. This course can be taken as an instructor led course, or via e-learning at myscouting.org.

Varsity Scout Leaders

Varsity Scout Coach Leader Specific is for all Varsity Coaches, assistant Coaches, and committee members. Varsity Coaches and assistants must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills to be considered trained.

Venturing Crew Leaders

Venturing Crew Advisors and assistant Advisors must complete Venturing Leader Specific Training to be considered trained. Venturing crew Advisors whose crews have an outdoor program must also complete Introduction to Outdoor Skills to be considered trained.

Crew committee members do not need to complete the Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills; however, they need to complete the same Venturing Leader Specific Training that is completed by the Advisor and assistant Advisors to be considered trained.

Great Training, but not Required to be Considered Trained

Fast Start Training

Fast Start training is offered for all new leaders who are not able to immediately attend the leader specific training for their position, and need to get up to speed right away. New leaders choose the Fast Start they need to take: Cub Scout Leader, Boy Scout Leader, Varsity Scout Leader, or Venturing Crew Leader. All Fast Start can be completed via e-learning at myscouting.org.

This Is Scouting

This Is Scouting is a course designed to help Scouting leaders gain a better understanding of how Scouting works. It includes six modules of training, which cover the Mission of Scouting, Programs for All Ages, Scouting Is Fun, Scouting in the Community, Keeping Our Youth Safe, and Scouting’s Legacy. This training is available on DVD or can be completed via e-learning at myscouting.org.